Planning commission hears staff recommendation to zone 2422940 Eighth Avenue West R‑1 ahead of annexation

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Mountlake Terrace Planning Commission heard a staff presentation recommending that the city zone a 0.4‑acre parcel at 2422940 Eighth Avenue West as Residential 1 (R‑1) in anticipation of annexation.

Sarah Pizzo, senior planner, told the commission that the property — about 17,269 square feet — is currently in unincorporated Snohomish County and is proposed for annexation so the owners can connect to city sewer services. “Staff recommends designating the property located at 2422940 Eighth Avenue West as residential 1 or R 1,” Pizzo said.

The recommendation matters because the property lies inside the city’s urban growth boundary and the comprehensive plan shows the site with a Residential 1 land‑use designation. The city’s land‑use element and capital facilities element call for cooperative annexation procedures and generally require annexation before providing services such as sewer. Pizzo summarized the legislative history: notice of intent to commence annexation proceedings began with a work session on June 12; on June 26 the council adopted Resolution 914 accepting the annexation area, authorizing circulation of the petition, requiring adoption of zoning at annexation and assuming existing city indebtedness. Petitions to annex were filed July 9 and July 21; the county assessor issued a certificate of sufficiency on July 28.

Under the city’s Comprehensive Plan (Vision 02/1944), the R‑1 designation is intended for detached single‑household residences, duplexes and complementary uses, with a maximum building height of three stories. Pizzo noted the site’s existing one‑story single‑family use complies with the R‑1 purpose. The minimum lot area in R‑1 is 4,800 square feet; the subject parcel is roughly 17,269 square feet and therefore exceeds the minimum. She also said Snohomish County’s current zoning for the parcel is “R‑8,400” and that the proposed rezoning to the city’s R‑1 designation is not expected to generate direct or indirect environmental impacts under SEPA.

Commissioners asked a few clarifying questions. Chair Bautista asked whether there is any “orphaned unincorporated street” adjacent to the parcel; Pizzo answered, “There does not appear to be any unincorporated right of way adjacent to this parcel.” No public comment was recorded; the commission did not take a final vote on zoning at the Aug. 11 meeting.

Next steps: staff will complete the SEPA review and notice this month, and the planning commission will hold a public hearing on the zoning designation on Aug. 25. After boundary review board action, the city council will hold public hearings on the annexation and the zoning ordinance adoption.